New Anti-Illicit Tobacco Law Set for Senate

New legislation to make it easier to prosecute tobacco smugglers will go to the Senate for debate after passing the lower house on August 14. Under the new law, the origin of illicit tobacco no longer needs to be proven. Plus, there will also be a criminal offence based on “recklessness” of avoiding tax, rather than intent.

Liberal MP Angus Taylor, who introduced the bill, said, “Criminals who profit from the trade of illicit tobacco undermine the government’s strategies to promote good public health outcomes. They threaten the viability of law-abiding local business operators.”